Mining machine control valve



Amin 3, 1951i l A. L'. LEE 4 2,547,64v

MNiNG MACHINE CONTROL VALVE gru/umm;

ARTHUQ 1 LEE,

April s, 195i A. L. LE'E 2,547,646

I MINING MACHINE CONTROL VALVE Original Filed April 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 31eze. 35% 54 AlQTl-MJQ L.LEE,

.Y L. LEE

MINING MACHINE CONTROL VALVE April 3, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed April 6, 1945 En Sm @n Sm v 3mm; AQTHU@ L.. LEF- 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. L. LEE

MINING MACHINE CONTROL VALVE original Filed April e, '1945 April 3, 1951v @zw n /a /K/gzfa,

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April 3, 1951 A. L. LEE

MINING MACHINE CONTROL VALVE Original Filed April 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Illllll wwizx.i.--i -l .AQ-HAU@ l.. LEE,

Patented Apr. 3, 1951 MINING MACHINE CONTROL VALVE Arthur "L. Lee,`Upper Arlington,0hio, assi'gnor to vThe Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, `a corporation of Ohio Application June 12, 1946, Serial "No. 676,200, which is a division of application Serial No. 586,979, April 6, 1945. Divided 'and lthis application October 1, 1948, SerialNo. I52,234

11 Claims. (C1. 60-97) This invention relates to a mining machine `and in the specific embodiment thereof disclosed in detail Hand vin its ,most specific aspectitrelates .to a mining 'machine of the shortwall type. It is to beunderstood, howeven'that argreat manyiof the features, aspects, combinations and sub-combinations'are applicable to different types of mining machines including, by way of illustration but not limitation, longwall, longwall-shortwall, or arc wallminin-g machines.

In fact, certain features, aspects, combinations and sub-combinations are applicable .to machines other than mining machines `and as V,to them it is to "be understood that they are -not limited to 'mining machines or, if limited to mining ma- .A `further object of the invention is to provide a mining machine having a torque converter in which there is a control valve for controlling the discharge pressure of the hydraulic torque converter, which control valve is preferably, but not necessarily, of the balanced type.

Another 'object of the invention is to provide improved control means for hydraulic apparatus .on a ,mining machine, including a pressure relief valve preferably of the balanced character for :controlling a hydraulic coupling or torque converter `and preferably in which there is means-to ,controlthe valve by operating-handles on opposite sides of the machinewhich are also Vpreferably operable -in the same 'manner to produce similar results.

yA further obiect of the invention is to provide simple control mechanism for both a two-speed feed control mechanism and a torque converter -mechanisin-on a mining machine, onebeing pref- 'erably controlled by rectilinear or reciprocatory motion, the other by rotary motionof the common control shaft, and in'the more specific ernkbodimentof the invention the control to be duplicated on opposite sides of the `vehicle and also pre erabivproviding for similar operation toproduce simnar.,results.

Another iobjectoi the invention is to provide a connection between a variable'relief valve :for a torque converter gof a -mining machine and a valve which controls 'the feed drum clutch, .So that the feed drum is connected only when the torque :converter valve is 'adjusted from its minimum pressure position.

.A further object of the `invention is Ato provide a control mechanism for controlling two-different types of valves, 'in which asingle shaft is'involved which controls one valve lfby rotary motion, the other by longitudinal or rectilinear motion.

A still further object :of fthe invention `is to,p1o vide Va .control valve assembly ,for ya miningmachine nor the like .in whichthe valve 4assembly is attachable to anddetachable fronrthe frame as a unit and includes a variety of valves and-also .preferably includeszmechanical gearing lwhichcooperates withother mechanical gearing also car-- ried bythe frame.

Still another Aobject `of the 'invention is kto provide a mining machine 4which is adapted to rest ,on a mine v'floor and to be moved as a unit while cutting a kerf, in which a plurality of hydraulic jacks are provided Vto adjust the height of the machine -as well .as its inclination along right angle axes in a horizontal plane.

=Otherobjects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations `being set forthin-the-appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is aplan view of a shortwall type vmachine which incorporates the ,features of my invention, the cutter bar being shown-.cut short; l

Fig. 2 is;a.side elevational view of the `machine of Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view showing various hydraulic control valves ofacombination lor Valve assemblywhich is mountable .as a unit .on .one corner ofthe mining machine frame;

Fig. 4 is ya 4'sectional view ktaken on the .line 4 4 of Fg- 3,`1o.oking in the `direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an elevational viewof one side of the valve block or assembly shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view .taken on the line B-G of Fig. '.4, looking in the .direction of the arrows;

Fig. .7 isa sectional elevational view taken'on line -1-1 -of Fig. 45, looking Vin .the Adirection of the arrows;

Fig. tisasectional elevational view taken `on the line -8-8 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. ,9 is `a `plan view,l with parts .broken away,

showing ,particularly the control mechanism for' the left-hand and right-hand combination valve assemblies, and showing the dual control mechanism for both valves;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line lil-I of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line II-ll of Fig. 4 of the drawings;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 5 of the drawings; and

Fig. 13 is a piping diagram as well as a schematic showing of certain parts of the mining machine, including particularly the various compartments and valve assemblies thereof.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 676,200, led June 12, 1946, for a Mining Machine, the latter being a division of my application Serial No. 586,979, filed April 6, 1945, for a Mining Machine.

As previously pointed out, in its most specific aspect the invention here involved relates to a mining machine of the shortwall type and many of the features, combinations, sub-combinations and aspects are limited to this type of mining machine, while a great many others are useful in other mining machines, such as longwall, shortwall-longwall and arcwall type machines, while even others nd use in machines other than mining machines. With this in mind, it is to be understood that the invention of each claim is to be limited only by the terms thereof.

Referring particularly to the drawings and to the shortwall machine which is therein disclosed and in which there is incorporated the various combinations, sub-combinations, features rand aspects of my invention, it may be pointed out first that one of the important considerations which dictates some of the structures is the overall height of the mining machine. This mining machine is of the type which is adapted to rest on and slide over the mine floor as a unit while cutting a kerf or, in other words, is of the well known shortwall type. As a consequence, it is desirable to make its overall height a minimum, to the end that it may be used in very low seam mines.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the machine includes a main frame 40 which in practice is preferably formed of two substantially independent frames including a forward motor frame or section 4| and a rearward machinery frame or section 42, the two frames or sections 4| and 42 being removably connected together as by machine screws or bolts. Removaby attached to the rear end of the machinery frame or section 42 is a gummer or cuttings removing mechanism 43 which is optionally employed or omitted.

Extending forwardly from the motor frame or section 4| is a kerf-cutting mechanism 44 including an elongated cutter bar 45 which is of substantially standard construction, except for certain differences pointed out in the parent case and not here important, upon which there Vis mounted an endlessV cutter chain 46 provided with removable and reversible cutter bits 41. As is well known, the shortwall type of mining machine is adapted to be fed as a unit over the mine oor while cutting a kerf, the kerf being cut by rst sumping the cutter bar into the solid coal and then feeding the machine laterally or across the coal face, all the while the kerf cutting mechanism 44 is in operation.

To effect the feeding of the mining machine as a unit, both at a kerf cutting speed and at a handling or higher speed and in reverse directions, the machine includes a pair of feed cable or rope drums 48 and 49 mounted on horizontal axes which are preferably in alignment, one on one side of the machine, the other on the other, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It may also be noted that the overall height of vertical dimension of the mining machine is substantially equal to the diameter of drum 48 or 49 and the top of the drum 48 o1 49 is substantially at the top of said frame 43.

Drums 48 and 49 are provided with feed ropes or cables 50 and 5|, respectively, which are adapted to be reeved about the sheaves of similar right and left hand rear sheave assemblies 52 and 53, respectively, and/or similar right and left hand front sheave assemblies 54 and 55. respectively.

For the present it need only be pointed out that the driving motor which drives the drums 48 and 49 tends to drive them always in the same direction, regardless of the direction of rotation of the motor, and that direction is such that it tends always to wind or pull in said ropes 50 and 5l. That is, drum 4S tends always to be rotated by its driving motor in a clockwise direction, as viewed by a person facing it, and drum 49 tends always to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed by a person facing As further pointed out in the parent case, the mining machine may cut coal by being fed laterally in reverse directions and to do this, slippage is provided on one of the drums 48 or 49, as the case may be, and it is allowed to pay out with a variable pull on the associated rope, as determined by the control of the associated torque converter. In Fig. l of the drawings the machine is illustrated with the ropes 50 and 5l reeved about the pulleys 52 and 55 to effect a lateral feeding of the machine to the left, as viewed from the rear thereof, or upward, as viewed from the drawings.

By the mere expedient of reeving rope 5U about the sheave of front assembly 54 and reeving rope 5I about the sheave of sheave assembly 53 and making the necessary operating adiustments on the machine, it may be fed to the right, reversely of that illustrated in said Fig. 1 of the drawings.

By extending both of the feed ropes 5U and 5l directly forwardly and to mine jacks, the machine may be fed forwardly and sumped into the solid coal. By extending the rope 50 rearwardly and around an auxiliary sheave 5S, then latsrally to a central sheave not illustrated but which is common on machines of this type, the machine can be pulled rearwardly away from the mine face and may be loaded onto a truck in a manner wel understood in the operation of shortwall machines.

The shortwall mining machine illrstrated is, of course. adapted to rest on and slide over the mine floor when in operation and the supporting surfaces of' the machine are provided largely by four spaced hydraulic piston jacks or motors (when employed), those at the rear being designated 51 and those at the front being designated 58. These hydraulic jacks provide for adiusting the elevation of the cutter mechanism 44 cr,

in other words, the effective height of the machine and also provide for adiusting the' inclination or tilt thereof on right angularly reated axes relative to a horizontal plane.

Attention is now directed particularly to `Sleeve .321.

Fgs to 12,inc'1usive, of 'the drawings, and to fthe lstructure of various valves and control or actuating mechanism therefor. `It may 'rst be nnoted ythat there are two similar combination :valve assemblies .which are of reverse construction, .however, and which are adapted to be frmounted on and demounted from the opposite frear corners `of the section .62. These valve -Vassemblies are designated'3l3 and 3M, respec- 'ftively, andtheir positions on the mining machine eareillustratedbestinFigs l andi2 of the drawings. Except for the 'fact that one of them is :a 4righthanll device andthe other a left'hand :device Ythey are of substantially the same construction and :a vdetailed Vdescription of valve 'i313 :will sufce `for .an understanding .0f the structure of both.

P'Saiol valve `assembly M3 'includes a rman body, 'block or `casing M5 and zrernovable caps or -heads 'SIB .and 3H at opposite .ends thereof.

`Locatedsubstantially.at the centerof the main "body .315 :and extending .into both the caps or iheads .1316 and .'SIE -is a cylindrical bore or vopening 318 vwhich is themainlcylinderfof a ybalanced 4:adjustable `pressure relief .valve .which variably controls the slip and thus adjusts the torque fsofva torque yconverter or, in other words, lcon- 'trols 'the lpull'.inpounds'on one of the `feefi'ropes Y.5D-or 5l, there, kor course, being an individual "itordue -converter Lvalve Yfor each `drum 38 and -49 and associated .and an individual control feed rope 5l] Yand 'The Vdrive between the ymotor and Y'each Idrum Idil, '14.9 including 'indi- "v'idual torque converter is ydisclosed 4and claimed 'l in application Serial'No. 676,200..

Stated another iway, -this Vcontrol :valve :con-

1trolsthe pressure, and thusthe'torque, at which vwhen the Vsleeve 321 is moved to :one Aextreme j poeition, which is the Zero pressure position, it

will move vout of contact with :the adiacent end of the lspring '3|9. As `the sleeve 532i! fis :moved downwardly, as :viewed vin Fier. "3, .or to the left,

'Las-viewed in Fig. y(i, or, in other words, "toward vthe piston 32%, it will ltravel :a Vsmall -predeter .mined .distance before contacting the spring :3l-9

'and further continuous .movement .thereci 4will comnress the spring die .and --thus .build up progressively the Vforce exerted bv the. Shrine i on fsaid This force is .balanced by hydraulic ffluid-pressureso the vsleeve ,32H .will remainat any adiusted position.

The head M6 is provided .with an integralcvllnder 222 which extends intcthe cylinder 3|8 andalong the axisthereof and which on its .outer cylindrical Ysurface slidablv receives ya sleeve Y32,3 having -an integral head 324 and a flanged base znvhichflaneed base overlaps anange on Ithe -sleeve 32.-! so that any 'force transmitted 'to the head 32d will be ldelivered bv the vsleeve $23 through the'lianged base 325 tothe sleeve 321. fWithin lthe .cylinder 322 is an velongated fpiston :1'326 adapted to push on .the head 24.

Cil

fifi' position of the slee-'ve 3.2!.

As "best Vseen :in '.Fig. 6 of the dra-wings, tithe 'maincasting 113.15 is provided with a hydraulic fluid inlet .chamber 321 provided with an appro- Ipriate sealing ring 328 which will effect a seal with the flat plate of the frame 42 to which the block SI5 is :removably attached as a unit with four :throughbolts which extend through four spaced holes 329 (see Fig. 5). It may be stated 'that this `manner of providing connections between the large ,number of bores or vpassageways 'in the-blocker casing .3!5 vis uniformly followed,

thus vproviding for ready attachment or detach- `ment of the combination valve assembly 3I3 and insuring a 'leak proof connection with associated conduits.

Hydraulic iuid lreceived `in the inlet chamber ..321 fp-assesby way of Vbores or passageways 330 in the block SI5 and head 3N to the interior of cyl- 2inder`322,thus 'tending to move the piston 326 in adirection to compress the spring 3|9. This hyfdraulic Afluid actu-ally :produces a balancing preschamber '32T is alsodelivered'to a pressure relief 'valve includinf.r a seal ring 33! '.(see Fig. 6`) and a sonnet 332 having a pair of integral spaced guide pistons 333 adapted to slide in a vcylinder or'bore 33d in -theblock M5. Bore is open at its'bottorn, 'as seen in Fig. 4, and communicates with an open chamber 313g (See Figs. 3 and 4), which chamber 339 communicates with the interior of cylinder 358 and with a large hole or opening 340 in the back upright plate of 'the frame 42, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings,

whereby the oil Idischarged through the high pressure relief valve 855i,

332 will flow from cylinder'334 through chamber 33S and hole or opening 35.0 into an oil reservoir 2&2. 'It is also evident fromthe above that oil inthe cylinder 318 is also drained tri-reservoir 212 by way of chamber i339 and hole 320.

The head of the left hand guide piston 333, as

"viewed in Fig. 6, abuts a roller 335 mounted on "which arm carries-a roller 331 which-rides on the *bottom Vof a A groove in the piston 32H. the groove 'beine provided to receive-said arm 336.

one end of a pivoted arm 336, the other end of It is evident that any force developed by the compression of spring 3159 will be transmitted through 'the pivot arm 3355 to the nonpet 332 and lconseomentlv the `pressure at which `the relief valve 32H, 332 opens will be determined by the Furthermore, the sleeve 22| will be balanced inV env position to whichdtediwted. bv virtue of the fact'th'at the hydraulic fluid in the chamber 32'! not only acts on the nonnet 332. but is delivered to the lcylinder 322 and piston 326. The internal diameter oi the seal ring 33! is the same size as the jinternal diameter of the cylinder 322 and consequently, since the hydraulic vilu-id onerates 'on two -sirniler areas in opposing directions, these forces will be balanced, thus maintaining the snr-ing Sill compressed 'in Aanv position to which vit onceadiusted ber'adiustine the sleeve 32|.

The lreanner rof adjusting the position of the sleeve `-321. thereby to adjust the pull which will be exerted on theropell or 5I, as the case may be, will lnow vbe -.;described. l'teierring particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that an operating shaft 338 extends through spaced oil seals, through a bore in the cap 3|1 and through a bore in the casing 3| 5, and into and through the open chamber 339. This operating shaft 338 is mounted for both rotary and longitudinal, reciprocatory or axial movement, the rotary motion being employed to control variably the pressure at which the relief valve 33|, 332 operates, by adjusting the sleeve 32|, and the reciprocatory motion being employed to energize selectively the hydraulic motors or actuators 212 and 218 (Fig. 13) for operating a twospeed planetary transmission associated therewith, as disclosed in detail in my parent case.

The valve 3|3 is, of course, individual to one torque converter 234 (Fig. 13) and one planetary transmission, while the valve 3|4 is individual to the other torque converter and transmission. Valve assembly 3|3 controls the torque converter and transmission on the right hand side of the machine, as viewed from the rear in Fig. 1, which control the drum 48, and the valve 3 |4 similarly controls the torque converter and transmission on the left hand side leading to drum 49. Valve assemblies 3|3 and 3|4 also have valves which control the clutch mechanisms of the drums 4B and 4S, respectively, as described in my parent case.

Rotary motion of the operating shaft 338 may 5 reciprocation'of said shaft 338 with respect to said gear 342. Gear 342 meshes with a bevel pinion 343 (see Fig. 4), on the hub of which is a pinion 344, said two pinions being mounted for rotation on a shaft 345.

As best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 11 of the drawings, the pinion 344 meshes with a rack 34B formed as an integral part of the sleeve 32|. It is obvious, therefore, that by rotating the shaft 338 the sleeve 32| can be adjusted longitudinally along the cylinder 3|8 and, as previously described, the hydraulic iiuid pressure at which the associated torque converter discharges will thereby be adjusted and this hydraulic fluid will produce a balanced condition on said torque converter control valve so that the discharge pressure thereof may be maintained substantially constant at any selected value from Zero to the maximum discharge pressure. This, of course, will control the pull on the associated rope, such as the rope 5G, and purely by Way of illustration of the possible variation of this pull, it may be from zero to 20,000 pounds when the low speed of the transmission is connected, which is the feeding speed used when the machine is cutting a kei-f, or it may be from zero to 4000 pounds Vpull when the high speed of the transmission is connected, which is the handling speed for the machine. These illustrative rope pulls are, of course; only such and are by no means to be considered as restricting.

It may further be mentioned that when the machine is in operation and being fed to out a kerf the adjustment of the torque converter control valve at any value will operate to maintain a substantially constant pull on the feed rope and, consequently, vthe speed at which the machine will be fed will be determined by the hardness of the cutting. For example, should the coal be soft or easy to cut, the machine will cut rapid- 1y. Where difcult cutting is encountered, the

machine will automatically compensate for the increased hardness of cutting, and feed through the coal at a slower rate.

It is to be particularly noted that this automatic control is responsive directly to the torque of the feed mechanism or, otherwise expressed, on the pull on the feed rope. Thus there is no time lag which need be overcome as is the case in those devices which attempt to control feeding speed by release responsive to overloading of the feeding or cutting motor. Experience indicates that this directly responsive type of feed control is much more satisfactory than other known types and eliminates all tendency for chattering, bucking and the like.

As previously mentioned, the shaft 338 is also employed to control the transmission. This is accomplished by a single control valve operated by longitudinal, rectilinear or reciprocatory motion of the shaft 338. Said control valve includes a bore or cylinder 341 provided in the casing 3|5 (see Fig. 3) into which a spool 348 reciprocates, said spool 348 being attached to or formed as an integral part of the shaft 338. Spool 348 includes a pair of spaced landsi349 and 350.

Adjacent its periphery the cylinder or bore 341 is provided with three circumferential chambers 35|, 352 and 353. The chamber 35| is connected by an appropriate conduit 354 to the slow band actuator or motor 212 of the associated planetary transmission (see Fig. 13). The chamber 352 is connected with a high pressure output pipe or conduit 355 (see Fig. 13) of the high pressure pump 22| over a path which includes a number of bores in the casing 3|5, which path will be described hereinafter. For the time being, it may be pointed out that this path includes a bore 356 (see Figs. 3 and 8) which communicates with the bottom of the chamber 352 and which is closed by a plug, the bore 356 communicating with a longitudinally extending bore 351 (see Figs. 3, 7 and 8) formed in the casing 3|5. The chamber 353 communicates by a conduit 353 with the fast band actuator 218 of the associated planetary transmission.

With the spool 348 in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the fast band piston motor 218 will be actuated, since hydraulic fluid under pressure in the chamber 352 will ow through the bore 341 to the conduit 358 which is in communication with said actuator or piston motor 218. Under these conditions, chamber 35| which communicates with the slow band piston motor 212 will be connected to drain by Wayof the rear end of bore 341 which communicates, by means of a passageway 359 in the head 3|6, with the interior of cylinder 3|8 which, as previously described, is connected to an oil reservoir 2|2. As clearly illustrated, for example, in Figs. 3, '7 and 8 of the drawings, portions of the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve 32| are out away to provide a free path for oil discharged from cylinder 341.

Therefore, by pulling outwardly on the handle 34| a fast speed drive will be effected from the driving motor to the drum 48. By pushing the handle 34| inwardly, the spool 348 is, of course, also moved inwardly and pressure chamber 352 is placed in communication with chamber 35| to actuate the slow speed motor or actuator 212 and to connect the high speed motor or actuator 218 to drain through the bore 341, which at its bottom, as viewed in Fig. 3, also communicates -365 and 366.

with. the interior al cylinder Slt, over an Qbylalls bore or passageway. vIt is thus evident that the operating handle 34! and the shaft 338 which it controls'serv'es a double function of controlling by different actions the pressure relief valve for the associated torque converter and the'two-speed planetary transmission which is driven through said'torque converter. Attention is now directed particularly to Fig. 1l of the drawings and to additional control provided by the valve assembly` SIS.' First of all, it may be mentioned that in association with the previously mentioned gear 344 for adjusting sleeve 32| there is provided a spring-pressed ball detent 360 which performs a double function of making a clicking noise as each tooth passes it, thereby indicating -to the operator that a predetermined amount of adjustment has been effected on the sleeve 132i, and also aiding 'to hold the said sleeve in adjusted position to'prevent hunting which might be caused by vibration of the machine.

Furthermore, it may here be mentioned that the operating handle 3M and all similar operat in g handles are provided with a pointer or index,

thus' v iesignating their positions, the pointers being best seen in v2"of then drawings. The pointers, for example; may' point upwardly when 'the'sleeve' Srl is'adjusted to its 4zero position, as illustrated in Figs. I3, 5 and'll of the drawings.

A control valve for the' clutch of the drum' 48 is also provided in the'valve assembly 313 and it is controlled automatically by the actuation of the sleeve 32| under the rotary control of hand-le 34|. This control valve includes a cylindrical bore A36| (see Fig. .1p1-)' formed inthe casing SI5, in which a spool 36-2 'reciprocat'es'- vSpool 362 is provided with spaced lands 363 and 364 and `bore-SGI is provided with spaced chambers the chamber ofthe actuating Imotor of the drum clutch of drum lli?, over -the previously mentioned conduit which is formed by interconnected-bores, pipes and the lik-e, designated `by reference characte'ri'i (see Figs-8 and AL31).

' The chamber 666 communicates with the high Ypressure conduit leading from the `highp'ressure pump 422| over a bore inthe block 315, vas illustrated lin Fig. 4v7 ofthe drawings. This chamber 366 also communicates over a plugged bore in the casing 3I5 with the previously mentioned bore 351, by which the hydraulic Nfluid under pressure from pump ZZI is delivered -to the chamber 35Zrby wayof'bore 56. As ishereinafter pointed out more completely, there are a number of Abores in the block Y3 I5 by which the hydraulic' Iluidunder pressure delivered lfrom the high "pressure conduit355, nrst to the chamber v366 and .then lto the bore 351, is delivered rto other .control valves,

particularly spool slide valveswhich are .employed to control the elevating jacks 151 and .58.

Returning now lto a considerationof .thestrueture illustrated in Fig. 11, therighthandld kof the spool 3.62 is provided Vwith --a rigidly Vattached `operatingear-m 1316i which extends into the path of .the .Sleeve Slt A helical aprirla .3 58 abatata@ head3| 5 andextends into a vvrecess in the Lspool 52, I Jrgingit to vthe left, as viewed in said VAFigli. When k the sleeve 3 2I is vadjusted to the I Zero torque orrero pressure positionsothat the torque tentata Will delli/ar Substantially n.0 .tratia t0 .the drum-18, it will automatically adjust thespool .352 sa as t0 flatarconnert .Chambers 55 A and thus dallyarlne `-l.lytlraullc 'fluid :under pr-.assunto Chamber 365 communicates with drawings.

tasaaaftlltt .tta 19 .aaa .glll .9i that@ vyalya.tanathalies nl. 3

10 actuate the clutch of the drum 48 and disengage 'he outer' member of said drurn,thus providing 'for its relatively yfree rotation.'V

V`As'soori asv the sleeve'32l is adjusted from its zero torque or zero'pressure position or during the first 'portion of its" travel before it contacts the spring'3 i9, 'the spool 36'2- will operate under.v th inuence of the spring 3&8` to block the pressure ohamber 3% and' connect the drum clutch motor chamber 3,65 to"d'rain by way of open chamber thn's draining' the motor or piston actuator ci 'the drum 'd8' and allowing Athe spring 'thereof to operate its vclu'tol'i and erect'a 'driving' relation between the driving member'and the main casting er driven pti'ori thereof, as disclosed in detaii'in my parent case. 'Th's'j drum 48 is 'effectively connected to the'v drivin'g'mo'tor through the torque converter andthe planetary transmission as'a incident tobuild'ing up'the discharge' pressure' 'f the torque converter and'it 'is' 'automatically4 dis; connected torotate lfreely as an incident to the redution o'i saiddischarge"pressuretoZero. Adjacent its rear portion the combiati'on'valve assembly 313 includes threesinilarslide' valves including spool's't, 370' and'''l' (se'e F-i'gf'l'y, adapted to slide in cylindricalv bores 312 '3123' and Biffi, respectively, foirn'ed'in the Qasing'r bl'ocl; The Sllti' vali/a '36.9, '372 talils th'l''f't aan jaar Si; the slide yale .anim @naar right frontiack 58, ,and thfallfla valt@ Sli, ai@ aaatrols vthe' tra raar' latta .5l 'by 'way'af 'Cbn'lt's sie, sie and si?, respectively; 'wnich iriidi 'a Qliaallty of transverse .alla 'llaaltilltllaally "Cari"- ,11e-Cttee balies .la th blqtl la' 'Sallie A0f yl'llltl are illustrated in Figs. v 3, fi,5, 'Tand' 8 of the draf; ngs.

illustrated in pig. 4" of @ne drawingsg'the'thre pressure chambers of 'these three valves'are all connected,by'interconnectingpasSaeawaysQrbQS .and .they are connected withthe previously m Ifiltione'd pressure 'passageway 357 which 4reirtend to .them by longitudinal and transverse bores which .may be seen by reference to'Eigs. .3' and 'fi of the Thus, hydraulic' fluid lllldr pres from .th'epurnp 22| isavailableat all tiin'es in he vertically aligned chambers votsaid three valves, including ychamber 318 vand its V'cclilrltepart irre ch of the other two valves. 'Adjacent the .bore '313 ,there is also .a rnotor ,chamber 319 which vconimulnicates 'with the previously mentioned'ondit 'ileading to the' right hand front jaci;`,58.` i sentant .nie bore' '31e' there are :use spaced drain Chambers est and es i kpour Qfwh-ih fafa .connected to .th'ein' or'of'cylinder ,over obvious .drainboresse Figf'of'the drawings. Within the d 'in chamber 3,81 there .is `a "`l ent'ering'fspring' which will ret'u'rnthe 'spool 31o' .toit's center position', as 'illustrated .in Fig.' T3, allenata noname ,oreratma'eads are fr- .lzeased .()ilse'al-s 383" are plovded `adjacnt .the 4projexzting operating .portions ofalle'"spol'1 iasgis: attent; by istantanee. s af t i ings, tllat oppasltaemlsaf the araalat all" aataad'aatataially' fraai 'the .'taalnemd" "lat and thus may be 'readily @tratt/fain [gtlaas ry'n'ualllaa .aja aap'asita ...ends

" i resterait@ ta FielaQftl-iafdrawlaaailt ,yall ese .three es h ing .spools and `3|4 are connected in parallel in pairs so that the operation of either spool 389 of the valve 3| 3 or thevalve 3| 4 will control the front left hand jack 58 either to expand it or to contract it. Similarly controlling either spool 318 of valve 3|3 or 3|4 will control right hand front jack 58. Likewise, controlling the spool 31| of either valve 3|3 or 3|4 will control the two rear jacks 51.

Referring again to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the spool 318 is provided with spaced lands 385 and 388 which co-operate with the chambers 318 and 319 to control the expansion, contraction or locking of the controlled jacks.

'When the parts are in their normal positions, as illustrated in Fig. 3, land 386 locks the control jack 58 in any position to which it is adjusted. If; the spool 318 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, hydraulic fluid under pressure in chamber 318 will be communicated to chamber 319 to expand the associated jack. If the spool 318 is moved downwardly, as viewed in said figure, the motor or jack chamber 319 will communicate with the drain chamber 388 and thus permit the associated jack to contract under the weight of the mining machine.

Not only does the operator have control of one torque converter, ya feed rope drum and a twospeed planetary gear' by operation of a single shaft 338 and handle 34| which controls a multiple control valve 3 I 3 which is individual thereto, but dual controls are providedfor each of the multiple control valves 3|3 and 3|4 whereby both of said valves may be controlled from either side of the machine and thus an operator on either side may control both torque converters, drums and transmissions.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings the structure which provides for the dual control of each valve 3|3 and 3|4 is disclosed. Some of the mechanism, including particularly that designated valve 3|8, is also seen in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

As previously mentioned, the shaft 338 is .mounted on the casing or block 3|5 and thus fis'removable as a unit with the unitary combination valve 3|3. lis a gear 381.

vIt may well be pointed' out here that, seen by referring to Figs. and 12 of the drawings, there Keyed rigidly to said shaft 338 Ajis a lug or detent 388 formed on the casing or block 3|5 adjacent the gear 381 which is adapted to fit into a groove 389 (see Fig. 12) in the periphery of said gear 381 formed by removing one of the teeth. This detent and groove are so positioned that they are in alignment, as illustrated "in Fig. 12, only when the handle 34| is rotated 4to its zero pressure position, or, in other words,

` rotated so that the parts are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Under these 7 conditions, the shaft 338 and handle 34| can be reciprocated or moved rectilinearly since the detent 388 will clear the gear -381 by virtue of the groove 389. This requires `drawings where the knob is in its full-out posiy tion which is the fast or high speed position.

Before describingin detail the complete gearing which provides for the pull control of each uvalve 3|3 and 3|4, it may be mentioned that this gearing is such that either operating handle will have a similar effect on its controlling valve when rotated in the same direction cated in the same direction. That is, handle 34| when pulled out will effect a high speed drive of drum 48. Its associated handle will do the same thing. When either of said handles is pushed they will effect a low speed drive of the drum 48. Likewise, rotating either of said handles in a clockwise direction will increase the rope pull on rope 58 or, in other words, increase the torque of the torque converter. The same applies for the other controls of the combination valve 3 4.

Mounted on an arm 398 (see Fig. 3), which is an integral part of the block 3 5, is a pair of wide faced meshing reach gears 39| which mesh with the gear 381 for all of its positions of adjustment produced by shifting the shaft 338, as above mentioned. The reach gears 39| reach to and drive a gear 392 rigidly attached to the end of a tubu lar drive shaft 393 which is mounted on spaced anti-friction bearings 394 carried in spaced partitions 2|3 of the two spaced oil reservoirs 2|2 on opposite sides of the machine.

At its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 9, the tubular shaft 393 carries a rigidly attached shrouded gear 395 which meshes with and drives a gear 396 xed to a longitudinally slidable shaft 391 provided with a second rigidly attached gear 398 meshing with and driving a second shrouded gear 399 which is rigidly attached to a hollow shaft 488 extending through the oil seals in a side-wall of the casing 42 and provided with an operating hande or knob 48|. If the knob 34| is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed by an operator facing it, it will drive the knob 48| in a clockwise direction, as viewed by an operator facing it, through the gears 381, 39|, 392, shaft 393, gears 395, 398 and shaft 391, and gears 398 and 399.

Provision is also made so that reciprocatory or rectilinear outward and inward movement of the handle 34| and shaft 338 will produce similar outward and inward movement of the knob or handle 48| and shaft 488. To this end, also extending through the hole or opening 340, as does the arm 398, there is a pivot arm 482 removably attached to the block 3|5, (see Fig. 5), upon which a bifurcated double ended pivoted shipper 483 is mounted for pivotal movement about an upright pivot pin 484. The double ended shipper 483 co-operates with grooved collars formed integral with the gears 381 and 393 so that when gear 381 is moved inwardly, gear 392 and with it shaft 393 will move outwardly, and vice versa.

It may be mentioned here that when the combination valve 3|3 is removed as a unit, the shipper 483 and gears 39| will be removed with it and the co-operating bifurcated arms of the shipper 483 are engageable with and disengageable from the collar of gear 392 by the simple expedient of slipping them on and 01T said collar.

Rectilinear, longitudinal or reciprocatory motion thus transmitted to the hollow shaft 393 will be further transmitted by the shrouded gear 395 to reciprocate shaft 391 and its two gears 396 and 398, the latter of which will in turn transmit this motion to the shrouded gear 399 and its attached hollow shaft 488 and handle 48|. The shipper 483 will, of course, reverse the movement of the shaft 338, as compared with the shaft 393 and thus when handle 34| is moved inwardly, handle 48| will be moved inwardly, or conversely, if handle 48| ismoved inwardly it will have the same effect on the spool 348 as will the inward movement of shaft 338, and vice versa.

or when reciproafname ontrol mechanism is also provided whereby similar and dual control of the torque converter valve and the transmission valve of the combination valve assembly 3|@ may be eiiected by a pair of control knobs or handles m5 and ll on opposite sides of the mining machine. It is to be understood that operation oi either of the knobs or handles 405 o-r dil@ will produce the same operation in the valve 3M as is produced by a similar operation'of either the .knobs 34| or del in the valve 3 I 3.

Knob or handle M5 is rigidly connected to a shaft Mill extending through oil seals in the outer Wall vof the frame d2, which shaft 4M also extends through the hollow operating shaft 39.3. At its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 9, shaft 401 extends loosely into a bore in the shaft 43* and is free to reciprocate therein. `Rigidly attached to the shaft d? between the two shrouded gears 395 and 399 is a gear 468 which meshes with a pair of reach gears 433 mounted on an arm l similar to the arm 33). The reach gears 409 drive a gear, not shown, but similar to the gear 381 of valve 313 and which is mounted on a shaft 4l! of said valve 3M which is a duplicate in structure and function of the previously described shaft 338 of valve 3 i4.

A pivoted shipper H2 mounted on an arm M3 similar to arm 492, co-operates with the grooved collar on the mentioned gear which is .carried onshaft 4H similar to the manner in which shipper 403 co-operates with the grooved collar on gear 381. r'he `cuter end of the shipper M2 likewise co-operates with the grooved collar on the gear 408 so that rectilinear or reciprocating motion of the shaft All or handle 4535 is transmitted to the shaft 4537 and the handle 465, or vice versa. Here also, outward or inward movement of either handle 405 `or 456 will produce similar motion of the other and clockwise or counterclockwise motion of either handle 485 or 406 will produce similar movement of the other.

AAttention is now directed to Fig. 13 of the drawings and to certain features of the hydraulic system which have not heretofore been particularly described. A low pressure high volume sump pump 222 is effective to keep the oil in the central cell of machinery compartment l2 at a low level since it is of high capacity. This oil is then delivered over the parallel paths tothe two oil reservoirs 2I2 at the sides of the machinery compartment by way `ofoutput conduit dit. Y

The output of conduit 355 of the high pressure pump 22| flows rst through a high pressure relief valve M5 land whenever the fluid output of the pump 2.2! exceeds the iluid demand, which will vbe the situation during an appreciable portion of the normal operation of the machine, the `relief valve M5 will open and its output delivered to various places to lubricate gears, bearings and the like.

`It is thus to be noted that a pressure rather than a splash lubricating system is provided vfor various gears, bearings, etc., of the machine, and this is particularly .desirable since it avoids the tendency `which is present in splash systems for oil to leak into the motor casing or housing and damage the electrical parts of the electric driving motor. In other words, the portion of 'the "machinery compartment d3, which communicates through any opening with the lmotor compartment, is not filled or even partially filled with oil, but the parts therein are lubricated by a forced feed lubricating system. 'The two vtorque con-V verters VV234 are mounted inthe individualreserthese reservoirs will be kept fullof oil at'all timesi by the-sump pump 222.

Each torque converter is, of course, controlled by its own individual variable pressure relief valve and the amount of slippage, and consequently the amount of torque ldeveloped on each drum, is dependent upon the fiuid flow therefrom, as controlled by its pressure relief valve. For example, if the huid flow from the torque converter is zero, there will be no slip whatever between the driving and driven elements thereof, and it will be in effect a direct coupling. The maximum uid how will develop for any given rotor speed when the casing is stationary., or, in other words, when the torque is zero, and consequently there is no rotation whatever of the Yassociated drum i3 or 39.

It is thus evident that yby the simple expedient of controlling the pressure at which the hydraulic fluid is discharged from the torque converter, -the torque output thereof, or, in other words, the pull on the rope 5@ or 5l of the associated drum 48 or 49, may be determined at any one of a plurality of values having an innite number of steps.

.From the above description, it is eviden-,t that the disclosed machine is of low overall height and thus meets requirements of thin seam mining.

Furthermore, the machine is one which meets the requirements of conveyor mining, particularly wherein a face conveyor is employed directly behind the mining machine. The controls for the machine are located on the sides andare Substantially duplicated on each side. The location of the controls at the sides is also desirable, particuv Y larly where the gommer or cuttings remover is attached and vthis device may either be attached or detached, or, in other words, the machine .may be built with or without it and if built with it, it may be subsequently removed.

The feed rope drums on opposite sides a-re both power driven, each having a two-speed control and each provided with individually controllable ,f hydraulic coupling or a torque converter in which the torque may be adjusted continuously from zero to maximum value. The high speed, of course, is primarily for handling, the low speed for feeding or cutting.

When the machine is sumped forwardly into the coal by making a sumping cut, both feed drums will be operated at their low or feeding speed and both ropes will be wound in, in this feeding operation.

When the mining machine is employed to cut a kerf by moving it across the room face, it is', of course, obvious that one of the ropes is a feed .rope and is being pulled in by the `feed drum which is being driven at a low speed, while the other rope is a tail rope and is being payed out under tension. This is eifected in a very eiilcient manner by the operation of the two independent torque converters. The torque converter which controls the power or feed drum will be operated to deliver considerable torque. For example, assuming the machine being fed. as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings; the cable 5I is the power cable and its drum i9 will be winding it in and feeding the machine to the left, as viewed from the rear, all the while it is cutting a kerf.

This will mean that there will be a Apredetermined relatively high pull on the rope 5| which 'may be set at any value upto 40,000 pounds. As a consequence, the torque converter vcontrolled by 'the high pressure adjustable `valve of the valve assemblyl 3|4 will be operating at a relativelyY high pressure and low volume. In other words, it will have a small amount of slip and its hydraulc output will be discharged at a relatively high pressure.

The pull on the rope 5I will be substantially constant, as determined by the setting of the control valve which may be controlled either by handle 34! or handle el. The rope 50, however, will be paying out and consequently the drum 48 will be operating in the reverse direction to which it tends to be driven by the primary electric driving motor, not shown. This reverse travel of the drum 48 will, of course, produce a high relative speed between the casing and the rotor of the torque converter associated with drum 48. The transmission mechanism associated therewith will be in high speed so that the reverse gear ratio will be a minimum. The control valve for the torque converter associated with the drum 43 will be set for a Very low discharge pressure and such as will permit this essentially reverse travel of the drum 48 which will cause a high fluid output of the said associated torque converter. Thus the torque converter can be controlled so that the power on its output shaft is actually greater than the power on its input shaft, with a consequent high volume of fluid delivery. In this manner the ypull on the rope 50 may be adjusted at any desired value necessary to keep the cutter bar 45 in proper position as the machine is fed across vthe face.

'It is further obvious that a reverse action will :take place when the mining machine is fed in reverse direction, in which case the rope 50 will,

-of course, be reeved forwardly about the front sheave IS7, while the rope 5l will extend rearwardly and laterally from the sheave assembly 53.

It may further be mentioned again that once the machine is placed in operation the speed of cutting will automatically increase or decrease as required by the hardness of the cutting, to maintain a substantially constant pull on the 'feed rope.y

The hydraulic jacks 5'! and 58 are also optional and, if omitted, their control valves are also preferably omitted. When provided, they may be employed to elevate the mining machine and the cutter bar 45 or to tilt it along longitudinal and/or transverse axes. This is provided by virtue of the independent adjustment of each of the front jacks 58 and the parallel or simultaneous adjustment of the two rear jacks 51 which, due to their parallel relation, provide what is in effect a three-point suspension for the mining machine when elevated by operating the four jacks.

Other features and characteristics of the miningv machine are believed adequately described and explained above.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changesr in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as dened by the claims hereto appended, and I therefore wish not to be lrestricted to the precise construction herein dis- .nallyshiftable spool'operable to control a ow of hydraulic fluid, a control shaft-connected to said spool having an operators handle shiftable rectilinearly to operate said valve to control said hydraulic fluid flow, a balanced variable pressure relief valve operable to control the pressure of the hydraulic fluid controlled by said spool valve, and means operated by rotation of said shaft and operators handle to adjust the balanced pressure of said relief valve,

2. Hydraulic control mechanism including aspool type hydraulic valve having a longitudinally shiftable spool operable to control a flow of hydraulic uid, a control shaft connected to said spool having an operators handle shiftable rectilinearly to operate said valve operable to control the pressure of the hydraulic fluid controlled by said spool valve, a variable pressure relief valve, and means operated by rotation of.

said shaft and operators handle to adjust the pressure of said relief valve.

3. A mining machine including a pair of control devices, operating means for said control devices including a shaft mounted for both rectilinear and rotary motion, and means interconnecting said shaft to operate one of said control devices by rectilinear motion and to operate the other of said control devices by rotary motion, said operating means further including rotary operating handles on opposite sides of said machine and mechanism whereby clockwise rotation of either handle will produce similar operation of the device controlled by said rotation.

4. A mining machine including a pair of control devices, operating means for said control devices including a shaft mounted for both rectilinear and rotary motion, and means interconnecting said shaft to operate one of said control devices by rectilinear motion and to operate the other of said control devices by rotary motion, said operating means further including operating handles on opposite sides of said machine and mechanism whereby outward rectilinear movement of either handle will produce similar operation of the device controlled by said movement.

5. A control valve assembly for a mining machine or the like including a main casing, a pressure relief valve therein, adjustable spring mecha.. nism for varying the relief pressure of said valve, a control valve, an operating shaft connected to operate said control valve when moved rectilinearly, gear means interconnecting said operating shaft to adjust said spring mechanism when said shaft is rotated, and a second control valve operated by adjustment of said spring mechanism.

6. A control valve assembly for a mining machine or the like including a main casing, a pressure relief valve therein, adjustable spring mechanism for varying the relief pressure of said valve, a control valve, an operating shaft connected to operate said lcontrol valve when moved rectilinearly, and gear means interconnecting said operating shaft to adjust said spring mechanism when said shaft is rotated.

7. In a mining machine, a frame, a valve ash sembly removable from said frame as a unit, said frame and valve assembly having co-operating fluid conduits when assembled, said valve assembly including an adjustable pressure relief valve, a control valve, a common operating mechanism for said relief valve and control valve operable in different ways to control them selectively, said common operating mechanism including a shaft mounted for both rotation and reciprocation, gearing interconnecting said shaft to the other of said valves to operate it reverselyy when reversely reciprocated.

8. In a mining machine, a frame, a valve assembly removable from said frame as a unit, said frame and valve assembly having co-operating fluid conduits when assembled, said valve assembly including an adjustable pressure relief valve, a control valve, a common operating mechanism for said relief valve and control valve operable in different ways to control them selectively, and means for controlling said common operating mechanisms from different positions including spur gearing part of which is mounted on said valve assembly and part on said frame.

9. A machine including a frame, a reciprocable control valve on said frame, valve operating mechanism including a pair of operating handles, one on each of two sides of said frame, both operable to produce the same action of said control valve by operating them the same way regardless of which handle is operated, said valve operating mechanism including a pair of reciprocable valve operating members, one connected to each of said operating handles, and a pivoted member pivotally connecting said valve operating members whereby they move in reverse directions when either of said operating handles is operated.

10. A machine including a frame, a rotary control valve on said frame, valve operating mechanism including a pair of operating handles, one on each of two sides of said frame, both operable to produce the same action of said control valve by operating them the same way regardless of which handle is operated, said valve operating mechanism including a pair of rotary valve operating members, one connected to each of said operating handles, ind spur gearing connecting said valve operating members whereby 18 they rotate in reverse directions when either of said operating handles is operated.

11. A machine including a frame, a reciprocable control valve on said` frame, a rotary conoperating members, one connected to each of said operating handles, a pivoted member pivotally connecting said valve operating members whereby they move in reverse rectilinear directions when either of said operating handles is moved rectilinearly, and gearing connecting said valve operating members whereby they rotate in reverse directions when either of said operating handles is rotated.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

